Belt-stretching device



W. R. WATERS.

BELT STRETCHING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED 1AN.3, 1921.

1,396,305, Patented Nov. 8,1921.

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4 fiTTOENEY WILLIAM R. WATERS, OF DAVENPORT, IOWA.

BELT-STRETCI-IING DEVICE.

Application filed January 3, 1921.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, lVILLL-ur R. lVATnRs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Davenport, in the county of Scott and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Belt-Stretching Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has reference to devices for stretching belts of that kind which are used in power transmission. and it has for its purpose to assist in ClIZIWlIlQ the ends of a belt together, and holding them in juxtaposition while the same are being laced together, without the necessity of removingthe belt from its supporting pulleys. It can be employed to advantage in repairing a belt, in shortening the same by removing the slack portion thereof, and in placing a new belt in position. This is accomplished by means of clamping devices capable of being quickly placed in position on a belt, and connected in such a way as to furnish a suitable leverage for such devices, so as to permit them to be moved toward each other in the operation of stretching the belt. The device is also constructed so as to be quickly detachable from the belting after the ends thereof have been joined.

The invention is simple in construction, and is capable of being easily operated by one person. It is also adjustable, so as to adapt itself readily to belts of varying thicknesses.

The particular construct-ion, arrangement and operation of the parts of the device will more fully appear from the following specification, reference beinghad to the drawings accompanyingthe same, in which:

Figure 1 shows the invention in side elevation, in position when in use.

Fig. 2 is a plan View of one of with the handle broken away.

F ig. 3 is a detail of the coupling plate 14.

Fig. at shows a modified form of the device.

The first two figures of the drawings illustrate the invention in its preferred embodi ment, it being understood that changes can be made in the form and arrangement thereof without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention comprises a pair of similar plates 1, having angular extensions 2, spaced apart sufficiently to admit a belt, as indicated at 3 in the drawings. Said plates are united by means of pins 4 and 5 projecting the clamps Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 8, 1921. Serial No. 434,588.

from the outer faces of said plates and connected by a chain 6, secured to the end of the pin a and adapted for engagement with a button on the end of the pin 5. Frames 7 are secured to the extensions 2 by means of pins 8 held in the innerends of slots 9 in said extensions. Centrally of the frames 7 are internally threaded sleeves 10, fitted to receive the threaded ends of rods 11, provided at their outer ends with handles 12. On the inner ends of said rods are clamping members 13, preferably disk-shaped, and held on the ends of said rods so as to turn independently thereof.

In order to place one of the clamping devices in position on a belt, the part 7 is detached, and the plate I placed on the inner face of the belt, as shown in the drawings. The frame 7 is then replaced and the rod 11 turned in a direction to force the disk 13 against the belt, clamping such belt tightly between the disk and plate 1. The other clamping device is positioned on the opposite end of the belt in a similar manner, and the pins 4 and 5 united by the chain 6. The handles 12 are then grasped by the hands of the operator and drawn toward each other, the rods 11 acting as levers, of which the pins l and 5 are extensions, the ends of the pins providing the fulcrum points. By this means the ends of the belt can be drawn together and overlapped, if necessary, any excess portion thereof being cut away. It will be seen that by means of the links in the chain 6 adjustments can be made whereby the relative positions of the plus t and 5 can be varied, to provide a proper leverage for the rods 11.

The clamps are placed in position with the slots 9 projected away from each other, as shown in the drawings, so that the pins 8 will retain their proper positions in said slots, while the tool is in use. hen the ends of the belt have been fastened together the clamping devices are removed by first releasing the disks 13 from pressure against the belt, and then detaching; the frames 7. The plates 1 can then be removed from the opposite side of the belt. It will be obvious that when the disks are in clamping position against the belt the pins 8 will be held in locked position in the ends of the slots 9. This is on account of the slots being inclined in the direction of the plates 1.

For the purpose of taking the slack out of a belt the clamps are attached thereto as above described, and operated so as to bring so. as to move the disk the excess portion of the belt between the space between the CllSK and plate .1, can be inmovably held creased so as to admit a belt of comparatively greater thickness. The devices can also be made in different sizes to meet the re uirements thereof.

o assist in holding the rods 11 in position while the belt is being laced, a coupling plate 14 is provided, one end thereof being pivoted. at the outer end of one of the handles 12, and such plate being fitted with a series of key-hole openings 15, one of which may be engaged with a button 16 on the end of the other handle. Such handles can thus be looked from movement away from each other;

In Fig. 4c is shown a modified form of the device, in which 17 represents one of the clamp-plates, in the extensions 18 of which are slots 19, engaged in which are pins 20 on the head of a lever 21, which head has a cam-face 22, adapted to engage a plate 23 and force the same in the direction of the plate 17. A piece of belting, as indicated at 24 can thus be tightly clamped between said plates, and the clamping members connected or disconnected as in the construction hereinbefore described.

What I claim and ters Patent, is:

1. A device of the class described, comprising a pair of clamp-plates provided with detachable connecting means; clamping members detachably connected with said clamp-plates and provided with suitable handles; and means for adjustment of said clamping members toward. or from the clamp-plates.

2. A device of the class described, comprising a pair of clamp-plates provided with angular extensions; clamping members removably held in said clamp-plates, and provided with means of adjustment with relation thereto; hand-levers connected with said clamping members; projections on said clamp'plates in substantial alinement with said hand-levers; and means for connecting said projections at their outer ends.

3; A device of the class described, comprising a pair of clamp-plates; frames rein said clamp-plates and provided with internally threaded sleeves; hand-levers having threaded ends held operatively in said sleeves; clamping members on the ends of said hand-levers, adapted to co-act with said clamp-plates; fulcrum devices projected from said clamp-plates, in opposition to said hand-levers; and connecting means for said fulcrum devices.

desire to secure by Let- 4;. A device of the class described, comprising a pair of clamp-plates, provided with angular extensions; clamping members removably held in said clamp-plates, and provided with means of adjustment with relation thereto; hand-levers connected with said clampingmembers; means for locking said hand-levers in operative position; projections on said clamp-plates in substantial alinement with said hand-levers; and means for connecting said projections at their outer ends.

prising a pair of clamp-plates; clamping members removably held in connection with said clamp-plates, and provided with means of adjustment with relation thereto; handlevers connected with said clamping members; projections on said clamp-plates in substantial alinement with saidhand-levers; and-connectingmeans for said projections permitting adjustment of the clamp-plates with relation to each other. I

6. A device of the class described, comprising clamp-plateshaving slotted extensions; frames provided with pins engageable in said slots; clamping members carried by said frames; hand levers connected with said clamping members so as to impart movement thereto toward or from said clamp-plates; and connecting means for said clamp-plates forming a fulcrum for said hand-levers.

7. Ina device of the class described, a clamp-plate adapted for connection. with a belt; a complementary clamping member removably held therein; means for adjustment of said clamping member with relation to said clamp-plate; a hand-lever connected with said clamping member, and provided with a suitable handle; and an extension on said clamp in line with said hand-lever, and adapted to be used as a fulcrum member therefor.

8. In a device of the class described, a clamp-plate adapted for engagement with a belt, and provided with slotted extensions; a frame removably held in connection with said clamp-plate by means of pins thereon in engagement with said slots; a rod having a threaded connection with said frame, so as to be capable of adjustment toward or from said clamp-plate upon being suitably rotated; a clamping member on the end of said rod, in position to cooperate with said clampplate, in holding a piece of belting; and a projection on said clamp-plate oppositely disposed-to said rod, and adapted to be used as a fulcrum device therefor, the slots in said extensions being disposed so as to prevent the release of said pins when the clamping member is in position against the belting.

In testimony WILLIAM R. "WATERS.

5. A device of the class described, comwhereof I aflix my signature. 

